The sun had recently set, and the Warren was covered with the
gentle grey haze of dusk.  The Warrenfolk were a silent procession across
the Keldarra Green.  Dusk hid the identity of many, but some were obvious:
the DragonLady holding her baby, the Beta Wingleader walking slowly with a
cane, the Warrenlady and her mate, the Alpha Wingleader pushed in a
wheelchair by the Healer Mila.  All dressed black.  There was little
conversation. 

	They gathered at the edge of the woodlands to the West of the 
Keldarra, beyond the Warren Green.  A pyre was built there, just far 
enough from the trees to prevent a fire from spreading easily.  The 
Warrenfolk stood around it, watching it respectfully, and waiting.

	A single Dragon trumpeted, a solemn sound that Dragons only make
in mourning.  A woman, Aylin, mother of Al'dairan the Courier, stepped out
of the shadows to stand before the onlookers.  They parted before her. 
She walked past them and stood beside the pyre.  The way remained parted. 
Another shape emerged from the shadows: a figure wrapped in white lay on
dark wood, carried on the shoulders of Del of Marrid and D'neor of
Keldarra.  The figure could be seen over the heads of the Warrenfolk as
the bearers brought it to the pyre and lay it to rest at the top.  Del and
D'neor then turned to stand by Aylin's side. 

	There was a flash, and M'tan was standing before them, holding a 
blazing torch aloft.  The flame flickered over the faces of everyone 
present, adding the last touch of unreality to the scene. 

	Those closest could see M'tan's eyes burning beneath the flame. 

	He turned and handed the torch to Aylin.  There were tears
streaming down her face, but ever those closest could hear no sobs.  She
took the torch and touched the nearest corner of the pyre.  A small flame
began there, hungrily consuming the food it had been provided.  Over the
crackling, Aylin's voice could be heard softly, "For my son, who brought 
light to my life and never let me forget that I was loved."  She turned, 
handed the torch to D'neor, and disappeared into the crowd.

	D'neor's face was stone beneath the warm light.  "For my brother, 
who shared with me his purpose in live, and helped me seek my own."  He 
touched another part of the pyre, and a new flame joined the first.  

	Del stepped up next.  She stood stiffly, and a single tear ran 
defiantly down her face.  "For my brother, who taught me just a little 
bit of how to treasure peace."  A third flame.

	Suayla.  Her eyes were burning red, and her face was covered with 
the moisture of spent tears.  The light turned her blonde hair to its own 
kind of flame.  Her words were choked and painful, "For my lover, who was 
more to me that anyone in the world.  I would have been glad to call him 
`mate'."  A fourth flame.

	There were other faces, other tributes.  The edge of the pyre 
became consumed with flame, so that each successive tribute was more 
difficult to light a new flame.  At last, the DragonLady stepped up and 
took the torch.  "To my faithful courier and trusted companion.  May the 
next life be kinder to you than this one."  She leaned forward, trying to 
find a spot free to light a flame, but there were none.  Standing up 
straight, she handed the torch to M'tan.

	"Al'dairan, fly on blue Rendel's wings, out of this life to the
next," M'tan recited the words with true belief.  "And when you and your
Dragon stand before God, let Him know that, in this life, you were never
unloved." 

	He cast the torch to the top of the pyre.  It landed, and the
white shroud that wrapped Al'dairan the Courier took fire.  Soon, nothing
was visible except the flame.  M'tan exhaled, his firm figure begining to
relax.  He turned back to the crowd, who was moving away to a safe
distance. 

	He looked once more back at the burning pyre and smiled.  "Best 
of luck, brother dear," he whispered.  Then he walked away to join his 
friends.  They all sat in the grass long into the night, watching the 
fire burn and talking about an old friend they knew, a friend named 
Al'dairan. 


Respectfully Submitted,

Susan Rati
Administrator, DragonLands